I dunno, I'd say 46 shots in 42 minutes, and playing until there were 4.2 seconds left in a game you win by 18 points is pretty much "the green light" already. I can't really see 100, just because scoring isn't as crazy as it was in that era, not to mention that Kobe doesn't have the ability to get cheapie lay-ups like a center would. Although he has the 3-ball opportunity.

But looking at the line up ... Smush Parker?? I don't follow hoops much, so I have to ask - is this one of those things where the Lakers have six guys on injured reserve, which would explain having guys like (Big) Von Wafer on the roster? Or is Phil having flashbacks to his days with the Albany Patroons?

81 is certainly an attention getter. Sorta like when Tiger gets the lead in a golf tournament, if people hear Kobe has a big first half, they should get some more viewers. And besides, you've got to keep Jack and Dyan entertained somehow.

Originally posted by Packman V281, 62, 3 straight 45+ games....we may be watching the greatest scoring season by any one in the NBA...

Ummmm...no. Wilt Chamberlain averaged 50.4 in 61-62. To do that, Kobe would have to average 65 points a game the rest of the way.

Now, don't get me wrong. Eighty-one points is mind-boggling, and Kobe's having an unbelievable year, but if he finishes the season at his current average of 34.8, that ties him for 10th all-time. Damn good, but let's not start bronzing him just yet.

Originally posted by TheOldManBut looking at the line up ... Smush Parker??

Smush has been adequate (10,3,3 approx). Check the Yahoo Roster list for the Lakers. He's the only guy to be labelled a PG. The 3 guys showing as Injured are McKie (who could possibly play point if you were REALLY short handed) Medvendenko (NO) and Profit (No?)Basically the Lakers are a stink pot other than Kobe and Lamar.

81? WOW! I don't care how many shots it took him to ge there, 81 is an impressuve number. And yes, I do think that if ANYONE can hit 100, it is Kobe. When he is feeling it, no on in the league can stop him.

Actually, they waived Laron Profit to make room for Ronny Turiaf last week.

Originally posted by Yahoo Sports(image removed) Ronny Turiaf is back with the Los Angeles Lakers less than six months after having open-heart surgery....Turiaf, a three-year starter at Gonzaga, was a second-round draft pick of the Lakers last June after averaging 15.9 points and 9.5 rebounds as a senior last season.

An enlarged aortic root was discovered by the Lakers in a physical exam four weeks after the draft, and Turiaf underwent surgery July 26 to repair the aortic root and preserve his aortic valve. ...To make room for Turiaf on the 15-man roster, the Lakers waived guard Laron Profit. He had surgery recently to repair a ruptured left Achilles tendon and wasn't expected to play again this season.

But back to Kobe's 81? Mind-Boggling. Was he playing against little kids or something? HOLY CRAP. But it does make me wonder what was going through the minds of his teamates? Was it "Man, this guy is amazing. I'm watching history in the making here", or was it "Dude, we're winning my 20. Can I get the damn ball once tonight maybe?"

Originally posted by DJ FrostyFreezeActually, they waived Laron Profit to make room for Ronny Turiaf last week.

Originally posted by Yahoo Sports(image removed) Ronny Turiaf is back with the Los Angeles Lakers less than six months after having open-heart surgery....Turiaf, a three-year starter at Gonzaga, was a second-round draft pick of the Lakers last June after averaging 15.9 points and 9.5 rebounds as a senior last season.

An enlarged aortic root was discovered by the Lakers in a physical exam four weeks after the draft, and Turiaf underwent surgery July 26 to repair the aortic root and preserve his aortic valve. ...To make room for Turiaf on the 15-man roster, the Lakers waived guard Laron Profit. He had surgery recently to repair a ruptured left Achilles tendon and wasn't expected to play again this season.

But back to Kobe's 81? Mind-Boggling. Was he playing against little kids or something? HOLY CRAP. But it does make me wonder what was going through the minds of his teamates? Was it "Man, this guy is amazing. I'm watching history in the making here", or was it "Dude, we're winning my 20. Can I get the damn ball once tonight maybe?"

A little bit from column A and a little bit from column B. DJ, as a Lakers fan, i am sure you can guess who wanted to score and who was enjoying the view.

Originally posted by DJ FrostyFreezeBut it does make me wonder what was going through the minds of his teamates? Was it "Man, this guy is amazing. I'm watching history in the making here", or was it "Dude, we're winning my 20. Can I get the damn ball once tonight maybe?"

Honestly, I think they probably thought Kobe got unfairly killed over leaving that Mavs game with 62, so they decided to let him put the pedal to the metal, especially since they were up by about a dozen or so the whole run. I bet if the game had been closer that wouldn't have happened, and I bet if the game was more of a blowout he would've stopped at 70 or so.

Originally posted by Marc Stein @ ESPN.comA month ago, Lakers coach Phil Jackson (along with Kobe himself) held Bryant out of the fourth quarter, when Kobe had 62 and the Lakers had the game vs. the Mavericks locked up. Jackson was criticized, in the Daily Dime and elsewhere, for his decision.This time, he might have had the same impulse, but he thought better of it. Late in the game, he said later, he told assistant coach Frank Hamblen he would take Kobe out. "I don't think you can," Hamblen replied, according to Jackson. "He has 77 points." And Jackson left Kobe in, until a Toronto turnover with four seconds to play allowed him to remove Kobe for the ovation he deserved and, indeed, even a half-hug from the Zen Master.

EDIT: I just looked up Kobe's Personal Efficiency Rating on ESPN.com for the game. For his 62-point game, it was 84.3, which barely beat LeBron's 83.7 for a 52-7-7 night. This time it was 112.1! Good grief.

Does this rate as one of the incredibe performances in sports history? I know that probably seems like sportswriter hyperbole since he didn't even come close to the record, but I never thought anyone would get 81. I'm definately going to be checking out any Lakers games on national TV from here on out.

Originally posted by BigSteveI know that probably seems like sportswriter hyperbole since he didn't even come close to the record

I'd argue that this is MORE impressive than Wilt's 100-points. Wilt scored 100 of 169 in that game, or 59.2% of his team's points. Kobe scored 81 of 122, or 66.4%. Not only that, but with nine minutes to go in the third quarter, the Raptors were up by 18, at which point I believe Kobe said, "EFF THIS."

Originally posted by JayJayDeanI'd argue that this is MORE impressive than Wilt's 100-points. Wilt scored 100 of 169 in that game, or 59.2% of his team's points. Kobe scored 81 of 122, or 66.4%. Not only that, but with nine minutes to go in the third quarter, the Raptors were up by 18, at which point I believe Kobe said, "EFF THIS."

Not that Wilt would have taken any but Mamba does have a 3 point line that was not in effect back 1962 and he did hit for 7 of them.

This performance just solidifies in my mind that Phil has sold out and is just cashing his checks this season.

Originally posted by BigSteveI know that probably seems like sportswriter hyperbole since he didn't even come close to the record

I'd argue that this is MORE impressive than Wilt's 100-points. Wilt scored 100 of 169 in that game, or 59.2% of his team's points. Kobe scored 81 of 122, or 66.4%. Not only that, but with nine minutes to go in the third quarter, the Raptors were up by 18, at which point I believe Kobe said, "EFF THIS."

That's pretty much what I was thinking. Much more scoring in Wilt's game overall plus Kobe was taking MUCH lower percentage shots than Wilt did (well, I wasn't there but I presume Wilt wasn't taking 20 footers that night).

Granted, I haven't paid close attention but IMHO Phil hasn't done a thing with this team this year. He lets Mamba go off at will both on the court and off. Just the fact he took the job after killing Kobe in the press sent a message that he was in it solely for the money.

As far as Kobe's 81 - anyway you break it down, it ain't 100 points. Just like being the "best team" in football...you still have Csonka and Griese getting drunk on National TV at your expense. It's not 17-0. You're second best